A psychiatric nurse appeared at Elgin Sheriff Court yesterday after lashing out over the breakdown of his marriage and assaulting his wife.
Graham Acton’s despair at the end of the 20-year relationship spilled over into violence at his family home in Keith on Friday, April 14.
He “pushed” Kathryn Acton into their home, grabbed her wrists and caused such a scene that police were called.
However, the accused has worked for NHS Grampian for more than 37 years and his efforts on behalf of the health service spared him harsher punishment.
Sheriff Peter Anderson said the 54-year-old was “generally a contributor to society” and opted to view the incident as a “one-off”.
The accused was ultimately fined £250.
The court heard that the nurse suspected Mrs Acton of developing an interest in Aaron Gilmour and angrily approached the two when they arrived at what was their marital home.
Acton, who now lives on Elgin’s McMillan Avenue, admitted acting in a threatening or abusive manner by shouting at Mrs Acton and Mr Gilmour and challenging the latter to fight.
He also pleaded guilty to assaulting Mrs Acton by seizing hold of her wrist and pulling her into their home.
Defence agent, Iain Maltman, said his client had been signed off work with back pain since January and was suffering from depression at the time of the assault.
Mr Maltman added: “This was a tense situation for him, with financial pressures and his health difficulties.”
Sheriff Anderson told Acton: “What you did was completely unacceptable, from your background you must be more aware of that than many people.
“You have lived your whole life without getting into trouble, finding yourself in this shameful position must cut deep to the heart of you.”